Clamping mechanism for line-up of pipes

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a round-like housing having two assemblies therein. In one assembly there is a group of extending members each having affixed thereto metal backing members, which are alternatively either segment-like or inverted segment-like and have mounted a pair of rollers facing each other across a weld backing strip, the extending members being movable and workable in alternative shifts. In the other assembly the extending members each have affixed thereto a roller, the extending members being movable and workable all in one movement. There are fluid cylinder mechanisms in the assemblies for moving the members in the above-mentioned manner. The aligning, the expanding and the welding of pipes are easily and stably accomplished by such apparatus performed without need of any tack welding.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.